Earlier this month, a JBHE post identified Howard University as the only historically Black college or university among the educational institutions with the largest number of graduates currently serving as Peace Corps volunteers. With 16 graduates serving in the Peace Corps, Howard University ranked in 14th place on the list of medium-size colleges and universities that have 5,000 to 15,000 undergraduate students.
Now the Peace Corps has released its annual list of the other HBCUs with the most graduates currently serving in its ranks. Spelman College in Atlanta ranked second to Howard University with seven graduates serving in the Peace Corps at the present time. Florida A&M now has five graduates in the Peace Corps. Morehouse College in Atlanta and Clark Atlanta University tied for fourth place among HBCUs with four Peace Corps volunteers each.
Since 1961, 211 alumni of HBCUs have served in the Peace Corps.
Carrie Hessler-Radelet, director of the Peace Corps, stated that “Peace Corps service is an opportunity for those who want to immerse themselves in another culture while working to make the world a better place. HBCUs foster a culture of learning that emphasizes the value of community and serving others and that foundation is what helps HBCU alumni thrive in the Peace Corps.”
